Tech buzzwords explained:
AI—regression
Big data—data
Blockchain—database
Algorithm—automated decision-making
Cloud—Internet
Crypto—cryptocurrency
Dark web—Onion service
Data science—statistics done by nonstatisticians
Disruption—competition
Viral—popular
IoT—malware-ready device
AI—regression
Big data—data
Blockchain—database
Algorithm—automated decision-making
Cloud—Internet
Crypto—cryptocurrency
Dark web—Onion service
Data science—statistics done by nonstatisticians
Disruption—competition
Viral—popular
IoT—malware-ready device
Since this going "viral", here's some context for my snarky definitions. Let's start with AI. There's definitely a lot of legit innovation happening, but much of it is a rebranding of old and familiar stuff.
Don't get me started on blockchain :)
I would love for cryptographers to get "crypto" back! Here's a practical suggestion on how to do that
Despite attempts by statisticians to rebrand the field as data science, I don't think most people calling themselves data scientists today are trained in statistics. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_scie… 
When computer scientists say "big data" they usually mean data that's big enough that you can't process it on a single machine. But usually it turns out they've vastly underestimated how much you can do on a single machine. usenix.org/system/files/c…
Some people use "big data" to mean something like "large-scale, fine-grained data about people that can be used to make harmful inferences about them."
But most datasets today seem to fall into this category, so let's just call it "data" :)
But most datasets today seem to fall into this category, so let's just call it "data" :)
Contrary to popular myths, the "dark web" is actually tiny trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/w…
If you're a technologist confused about headlines like these, it turns out that "algorithm" now means "automated decision-making".
The term "disruption" was coined in the book Innovator's Dilemma, where it refers to a specific type of innovation that contrasts with the normal mode of competition, "sustaining innovation". Too bad the term has lost all meaning—it's an insightful book! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Innov…
Finally, "viral". @duncanjwatts & other have a fascinating claim, backed by data, that viral propagation on social media is largely a myth, and that the popularity of (say) tweets is explained by the popularity of the most prominent user who retweeted it. 5harad.com/papers/twiral.…
Oh, and if you want regular doses of snarky tweets about IoT, follow @internetofshit if you aren't already!
One more citation for this thread! Criminal risk prediction systems are being sold under the veneer of objectivity and are often branded as "AI". They're at best equivalent to regression. AI won't replace careful social science and statistics. advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/1/ea…
